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Senate rejects expansion of red/blue lights for roadside service vehicles
Summary
Senators debated allowing additional lighting for roadside service and tire‑service vehicles; opponents warned red/blue lights would cause motorist confusion and impersonation risk; a roll‑call in committee produced an 8‑yea, 22‑nay, 1‑excused tally and the measure was indefinitely postponed.
Senate File 34, which would have allowed certain roadside and tire‑service vehicles to use additional lighting (including red and blue lights at stationary scenes), failed to advance after senators raised safety and impersonation concerns.
Sponsor Senator Barlow said the bill would improve public safety by expanding lighting options for roadside assistance vehicles and did not authorize siren use. Opponents including Senator Nethercott and Senator Eyde argued red and blue lights are associated with law enforcement and could confuse drivers or enable impersonation: "I think that provides a potential safety risk and confusion to the public," Nethercott said.
After a standing division failed, a roll‑call was required under Senate Rule 6‑5. The chief clerk recorded a committee‑of‑the‑whole vote of 8 ayes, 22 noes and 1 excused; the chair declared Senate File 34 indefinitely postponed.
